ʻAʻaliʻi · Dodonaea viscosa
ʻAʻaliʻi is a native Hawaiian plant with a quiet kind of strength. Its Hawaiian name ʻAʻaliʻi kū makani can be understood as “ʻAʻaliʻi standing in the wind”—a fitting name for a plant known for enduring strong winds, drought, and difficult conditions.
There is a well-known Hawaiian ʻōlelo noʻeau that captures this spirit:
“He ʻaʻaliʻi au; ʻaʻohe makani e hina ai.”
“I am an ʻaʻaliʻi; no wind can make me fall.”
The saying carries a meaning much deeper than the plant itself. ʻAʻaliʻi became a metaphor for someone who remains standing through hardship—strong, steady, and able to bend without breaking.
ʻAʻaliʻi is also part of the traditional Hawaiian relationship with the ʻāina. Its hard wood was used for tools, weapons, house posts, and fishing implements, while its colorful papery seed capsules and leaves were gathered for lei. The red capsules were also used to create dye for kapa. (Hawaii Native Plants)
On Kauaʻi, ʻAʻaliʻi can be found in places such as the dry landscapes around Waimea Canyon, as well as across a wide range of Hawaiian habitats. It is a plant that knows how to live with the conditions of the ʻāina rather than needing everything to be easy.
ʻAʻaliʻi reminds us that strength does not always mean standing rigid. Sometimes it means knowing how to bend with the wind, stay rooted, and keep growing.
ʻAʻaliʻi kū makani — standing strong in the wind.
